Marta casts hooks baited with sardines, sacrificing everything she has left to pray for something bigger. Her child curls at her feet, weakened by hunger, lulled by rollers.
Before, a storm had raged.
She’d stared unflinching into the oncoming violence, preferring it to the world behind. Sails tightened, she steered as close-hauled as she dared. When the screaming wind harmonized with vibrating rigging, she screamed back. Held her course. Out-raged nature.
Now, the sea is settled. The sky all mauve sunset and winking stars.
The line jerks. Marta hauls up two mackerel. The ocean’s peace offering, they will taste like survival.
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